More evidence that asset managers consider the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) as a major challenge has emerged.

Though of little surprise to anyone given the ample scope of MiFID II and particularly for its impact on distribution, the Accudelta poll also revealed a high ranking for Solvency II regulations as an important challenge this year.

Accudelta, a data management firm, conducted the poll at the FundForum International event in Berlin though released the results today.

Data collection, enrichment and delivery were the most pressing concerns in these regulations, says the firm.

With a raft of existing and upcoming regulations to address, many asset managers at last month’s event were looking for ways to minimise the reporting burden, with some seeking to reuse reporting and regulatory data.

Oonagh O’Mahoney, senior vice president of Accudelta, said there has been considerable discussion about the potential overlaps between areas of the packaged retail insurance-based investment products (Priips) regulation and aspects of MiFID II – a fact Funds Europe highlighted earlier in the year.

The firm also asked asset managers which key areas, aside from performance, they felt would help retain customers and win new mandates in the year ahead. The two most essential were reputation (59% ranked this as the most or second most important factor) and complying with new regulations (36%).

Fintech firm Calastone, in partnership with Funds Europe, recently published a survey about MiFID II challenges.

Alternative assets are set to rise but fragmentation is still a problem for the AIFMD, which is soon due for its second iteration. Managers need to rely on service providers more than ever, says Anja Grenner of Intertrust.

As China continues to open its financial sector to foreign investors and embed itself ever deeper into the global economy, now is the time to handpick the stocks and investment targets that foreign investors crave, says Jun Li, chief investment officer of Sagard China.

Roundtables & Panels

Jersey’s ability to innovate, its potential role as a post-Brexit bridge between the UK and the EU, and a significant increase in alternative assets were among the topics discussed by our panel. Chaired by Romil Patel in St Helier.

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Brexit debate

The Leaver, the Remainer

Watch the debate between the pro-Brexit Roger Bootle and pro-Remain Gina Miller which took place at the SGG Thought Leadership Series event in January. Also watch the panel that followed on the distribution of UK funds into the EU and much more!